JAC T9 Hunter PHEV spied on Aussie roads

The JAC T9 Hunter plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute has been spotted testing on Australian roads ahead of its 2026 local launch.

The Chinese commercial brand JAC conducted the global debut of the Hunter PHEV at the Melbourne motor show last March.

Back then the brand declared an intention to launch the Hunter in Oz by the end of March 2026 to take on the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and Ford Ranger PHEV.

In June, the Hunter was shown in right-hand drive for the first time at the Hong Konga-Macao motor show and was even christened the Australian Edition.

The Hunter will join the orthodox diesel T9 4x4 dual cab in the local JAC lineup.

Specs so far reveal a 385kW/1000Nm setup featuring a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, dual e-motors (one per axle) and a 31.2kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery – outputs that eclipse all three PHEV utes currently on sale.

The claimed electric range is 100km and JAC’s targeting 3500kg braked towing and a payload close to one tonne.

JAC is chasing a best-of-both-worlds scenario, aiming to match the Shark’s electric range with the Ranger’s workhorse capability – though BYD plans to up the ante in 2026 by giving the Shark 6 a bigger engine plus greater carrying and towing capacity.

Another factor to consider in all this is price and there is every chance JAC will reset the PHEV ute benchmark lower than ever before. The BYD Shark 6 kicks things off currently at $57,900 (plus on-road costs).

As it appeared in Hong Kong, the Hunter PHEV is distinguished from the standard T9 by 18-inch aero wheels, a redesigned cargo system and a new integrated sports bar.

The T9 Hunter PHEV show truck kept the combustion ute’s split-type headlamps but adds a black grille and blue accented JAC badging.

Switching from left- to right-hand drive brought some compromise with the RHD’s 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster dropped for a smaller seven-inch screen.

That combines with a 10.4-inch infotainment screen, plus an electronic handbrake.

The Australian edition also appeared with a four-spoke steering wheel, rotary gear selector and diamond-quilted leather seats.

A JAC spokesman confirmed the T9 Hunter PHEV was in Australia for testing ahead of launch but declined to add details. He said more information would be revealed shortly.

Checking the Hunter’s NSW registration reveals it’s around 400kg heavier than the T9 diesel at 2512kg and has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) bumped from 3100kg to 3470kg.

The Hunter could be the boost JAC needs in Australia. The T9 ranked number 16 in the 4x4 ute segment with just 1582 sales in 2025.

JAC has already announced a driveaway deal for T9 that runs to March 31, with pricing starting as low as $39,990 drive-away for the MY25 T9 Oasis Dual-Cab 4X4.

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